Madison Restaurant Review: Brunching at Marigold Kitchen

An inside look at one of the coolest brunch spots in Madison.

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On your typical Sunday morning in Madison, the line outside of Marigold Kitchen is the equivalent to if Starbucks spontaneously started handing out free frappuccinos to a hoard of middle school girls. The line stretches up South Pinckney Street as hungry brunch-goers wait in line. Upon entry, you are greeted by sunny walls and cozy artwork that covers every surface. Decorative pillows are littered across the chairs, giving off a warm ambiance. Marigold is bustling with customers placing orders as the hostess leads people to their tables. The format of the restaurant is similar to that of Short Stack Eatery (another great spot), where you stand in line, order, grab a number, and wait for a table. Once you have a table, a waitress will come and serve your food.

The menu is slightly more egg based, but don’t worry. There are foods for those of you with a sweet tooth as well. From the chili poached eggs to the blueberry pancakes, you can’t go wrong. After multiple trips to Marigold, I have decided that my go-to order is the Marigold breakfast sandwich. I’ve tried a lot of breakfast sandwiches, probably more than I would like to admit, and I have to say this one tops all the rest. Between two crisp pieces of toasted ciabatta is a fried egg, bacon, tomato, green onion, and the best part of all: cheddar-spiked boursin. For those of you who don’t know what boursin is (I didn’t know either), Boursin is a brand of Gurney cheese with a soft creamy texture and a flavor similar to cream cheese.

Photo by Avery Allen

During my most recent trip to Marigold, they had pumpkin pancakes (with orange butter and strawberries) as a special. They were impossible to resist and I can honestly say I think they changed my life for the better.

Photo by Avery Allen

Last but definitely not least, if you are a coffee drinker (as everyone should be), their lattes are a must. If you are adventurous go for one of the exotic coffee concoctions, like the Maple Latte with espresso, steamed milk, and pure Wisconsin maple syrup.

Photo by Avery Allen

Whether you are the omelette type, the french toast type, or just stopping in for a latte, you can’t go wrong with a brunch trip to Marigold. Just be prepared to wait for your turn!